Michail Antonio’s advice to Ben Johnson was key to the young West Ham defender’s first goal of the season against Aston Villa last month. Johnson opened his account for the campaign seven minutes into his sixth start doubling his tally in a West Ham shirt. His first goal for the Hammers came last season at the London Stadium when West Ham drew 2-2 with Brighton and Hove Albion.
Ben Johnson said: “Antonio was telling me to use my left foot more. I have played at left-back last season and a bit this season as well and it just came to me and I thought I will cut in and then the space came and someone’s legs opened up and I went for the shot and just tried to stay as composed as possible.”
Johnson is being modest about a superb strike from distance. The youngster brought a bouncing ball down under control before quickly nipping inside Matt Targett and firing in the shot that was so perfectly placed in the bottom far corner it was almost beyond Emi Martinez before he dived.
Ben Johnson added: “It was a great feeling to score and to celebrate as well with my teammates. Cressie [Aaron Cresswell] said to me if you score you have to do it and when I scored I did not actually want to do it but I saw Cress running over so I had to do it and it was just a great moment and a great feeling to see everyone joining in.”
